GoPro Hero5 Action Cams, Karma Drone Slated for October Delivery

GoPro Hero5 Action Cams, Karma Drone Slated for October Delivery

Go Pro's Hero5 Black and the Hero5 Session feature new voice-control capabilities and other improvements. The company is also launching its first drone, GoPro Karma.

The GoPro Hero5 Black Action Camera

The new $399.99 GoPro Hero5 Black action camera has a 2-inch touch-screen display, a 12-megapixel camera and provides video resolutions up to 4K at 30fps.

Simpler One-Button Controls

The latest flagship Hero5 Black action camera also gets updated one-button controls to make it easier to use, along with automatic uploading of photos and video to a cloud-based subscription service while the unit is charging. The Hero5 Black is also waterproof to 33 feet without a separate housing.

New Voice-Control Capabilities

The new voice control feature includes support for seven languages so far, with more to come. Also included are stereo audio recording capabilities and advanced wind noise reduction, professional-grade electronic video stabilization and wide-angle video and photo capabilities. A new linear-view setting is also featured.

Deep Image Quality Options

The Hero5 Black can capture images in RAW and WDR (wide dynamic range) photo modes for more control of images and includes built-in GPS. The device is also compatible with existing GoPro mounts to enable it to be used in a wide variety of applications, sports and activities, such as snowboarding.

The GoPro Hero5 Session Action Camera

For users on a budget, the $299.99 Hero5 Session model shares the same small design of the Hero5 Black flagship device, but comes with a lower price tag and less lofty specifications, such as a 10-megapixel camera. Similar to its big brother, the Hero5 Session gets voice control, video resolutions up to 4K at 30fps, one-button control and is waterproof to 33 feet without a separate housing.

Plenty of High-End Features Included

The Hero5 Session also includes stereo audio recording capabilities, advanced wind noise reduction and professional-grade electronic video stabilization, like its big brother. Also featured are wide-angle video and photo capabilities and a new linear-view setting.

The GoPro Karma Drone

GoPro's first drone has a maximum speed of 35 mph and can cover a maximum distance of 3,280 feet at up to 14,500 feet. The Karma drone folds up for storage into an included small backpack and features a flight controller that replicates video game controller feel and action. The controller has an integrated 5-inch touch-screen display that allows users to fly the drone without the need for a separate phone or tablet to view what the drone is seeing in flight. It is 12 inches long, 16.2 inches wide, 4.6 inches high and weighs 35.5 ounces.

Removable Karma Grip for Handheld Video Capture

The Karma drone includes a Karma Stabilizer image-stabilization device that can be dismounted and used to capture shake-free video during almost any activity. The 3-axis camera stabilizer can also be used with the included Karma Grip handle to capture footage by hand or while using the stabilizer with other gear. Without a GoPro camera, the drone will sell for $799.99, while a bundle with a Hero5 Black sells for $1,099.99. A Karma bundle with a Hero5 Session camera will be priced at $999.99 and will be available in early 2017.

GoPro's new action cameras, the GoPro Hero5 Black and the Hero5 Session, are gaining new voice-control capabilities and other improvements, while the company's first-ever drone, the GoPro Karma, will allow users to capture video with their GoPro cameras from the air. The products, which the company unveiled Sept. 19, include the $399.99 GoPro Hero5 Black action camera, which has a 2-inch touch-screen display and a 12-megapixel camera; the $299.99 Hero5 Session action camera, which has a 10-megapixel camera; and the $799.99 Karma Drone (without a camera), which comes with a game-style controller and folds up into an included backpack for easy portability. The Hero5 Black and the Hero5 Session action cameras will be available Oct. 2. The Karma drone, which will be available starting Oct. 23, folds up to fit inside an included backpack and features a flight controller that replicates video game controller feel and action. The drone will sell for $799.99 without a camera. Peruse this eWEEK slide show for more details about the latest GoPro devices.